The discoveries of a colonial-era structure onsite and more serious structural deterioration than expected have led to a projected 12% increase in the renovation of New York’s City Hall. The structure located behind City Hall yielded artifacts, including a bayonet that may have belonged to a British soldier during the Revolutionary War, and British farthings minted between 1746-54. http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/big_overrun_on_city_over_hall_Ox0AUnW...

The archeological find meant that workers had to dig by hand around the site to carefully uncover artifacts, which boosted labor costs. This discovery, along with the need for an additional tunnel to bring new power lines into the building for new mechanical equipment, have helped to boost the project’s cost to an estimated $119 million.

The cost overruns have prompted officials to scrap plans for the installation of rooftop solar panels.

Drew Ballensky is general manager of Duro-Last Roofing, Inc.’s central U.S. facility in Iowa and company spokesman for Duro-Last’s cool roofing, sustainability and architectural education programs. He is past-president of the Chemical Fabrics and Film Association and chairman of CFFA’s Vinyl Roofing Division. Drew earned his bachelor’s degree in industrial technology from the University of Northern Iowa and master’s degree in business administration from Florida State University.
Drew has over 29 years experience in business and industry in various engineering and managerial capacities. He has worked in the U.S. and Canadian operations for a major international manufacturer of pre-engineered steel buildings, was a financial analyst with a major athletic apparel manufacturer and was an owner of a general contracting company.